"We will give more details at a news conference at 11 a.m.," Fisher said

U.S. Attorney Damon Martinez and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carol Lee have scheduled a news conference for Friday to announce the filing of a "significant federal indictment," but also didn't offer details.

A lawyer for Rodella didn't immediately return a phone message and email from The Associated Press.

In June, FBI agents raided Rodella's home just hours after he lost the Democratic nomination for Rio Arriba County sheriff by coming in second to challenger James Lujan by 200 votes. Lujan was a former deputy Rodella had fired.

Rodella's home was raided as authorities investigated the March arrest of 26-year-old Michael Tafoya, a driver Rodella had detained, Rio Arriba County Sheriff spokesman Jake Arnold said.

Tafoya was arrested on charges of aggravated assault of a peace officer and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on March 11, but prosecutors dismissed the case two weeks later.

Tafoya, driving a green Mazda, pulled out and almost hit Rodella, who was driving a Jeep with his son as a passenger, according to a court document.

The sheriff then saw the Mazda almost rear-end another vehicle, the document said. Without explaining whether the Mazda driver stopped on his own or Rodella pulled him over, the report said the Rodella "presented his badge" to the Mazda driver and identified himself as sheriff.

Last year, the FBI searched the sheriff's office in Espanola after media reports that Rodella's staff was accepting donations for a scholarship fund managed by Rodella, in lieu of prosecuting some traffic offenses.